Airline News Roundup: London City Airport, Emergency Potty Break, Baggage Fees, Inflight Phone Calls
With all the ongoing changes in the airline industry, sometimes there are just too many stories about airlines & airports to let them go by.
So check out this roundup of the week’s top airline news.
This week’s topics include British Airways’ new service from London City Airport, an emergency potty break on United, growing baggage fees on multiple airlines, and a survey on in-flight calling.
British Airways Launches Trans-Atlantic Service from London City Airport
British Airways launched its first long-haul, all-business flight from London City Airport to New York’s JFK Airport.
The airline has reconfigured two A318 airbuses, which normally seat 110 passengers, to fit 32 seats that turn into fully flat beds. Twice-daily flights will feature in-flight communication features provided by OnAir and upscale British dining from a partnership with London’s Roast restaurant.
Customers on this service will also be allowed to check in just 15 minutes before departure. Flights will make a brief refueling stop at Shannon Airport in Ireland, at which point passengers will be able to clear U.S. customs and immigration, and will then be treated as domestic arrivals when arriving New York.
London City Airport is the only airport located within the city of London, primarily serving other European destinations. It is currently the least-busy airport in London behind Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton, but officials have long-term plans to expand passenger service.
Learn more about London’s airports with London’s Airport Mess: Plans, Problems, Solutions.
While other all-business-class airlines met their demise due to the economy and other financial factors, British Airways is counting on turning a profit from this service.
United Plane Evacuated After Emergency Potty Break
A United Airlines plane had to be evacuated Monday after a passenger ran to the bathroom before takeoff.
Airport police say the man refused requests to remain in his seat because he urgently needed to use the restroom. Authorities then removed the passengers while they searched the plane.
Officials say they did not find anything on the plane or in the man’s luggage. The FBI does not expect to make any charges.
Get more air travel news in our Airlines & Airports section.
More Airlines Add Checked-Bag Fees
Passengers on international flights can now expect to pay more to check bags.
In the past three months, Delta, Continental, American, and United have all added $50 fees to check a second bag on flights to Europe.
The trend of charging to check bags on international flights only appears to be growing in popularity. Delta and Continental have added similar charges on flights to Latin America, and fees on Asian routes are sure to follow.
Air travelers may recall that baggage charges on domestic flights started out the same way. Some airline experts predict that these new fees will soon spread to all international routes and include charges on even the first bag.
Learn more with Baggage Fees Creeping Onto International Flights.
Survey Says No to In-Flight Phone Calls
Passengers may find the airline nickel-and-diming irksome, but most agree with domestic airlines on one thing: cell phones should not be used on planes.
With carriers making a push to provide in-flight Wi-Fi service, many are wondering if the next step is to allow passengers to make in-flight cell phone calls.
Surveys of airline passengers suggest strong opposition to cell phones on planes while the national flight attendants union has asked Congress to ban in-flight phone calls.
In-flight cell phone use is currently banned by U.S. carriers due to logistical problems and concerns about potential interference with navigational equipment. Officials also fear that allowing passengers to make in-flight phone calls could cause tension and conflict in the cabin.
Despite these apprehensions, passengers on many foreign airlines are already using cell phones to make in-flight calls with surprisingly few complaints.
By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com.
Related Links: Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, New York Times, MSNBC, USA Today
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